10 Best Comic First Issues This Week (Jan 2, 2019)
5. Conan The Barbarian #1
Conan the Barbarian has returned to Marvel Comics in top form with the start of The Life And Death of Conan. The plot itself is about how once, long ago, Conan had been taken and nearly killed by the Crimson Witch to resurrect her rotting god. Conan ended up besting her, but now, as he battles to keep his kingdom years later, Conan faces her once again.
Jason Aaron was the no-brainer choice to write this, particularly with the epics he brought to the Thor line of comics and if you've read any of those, then you know how this book is likely to feel. It has all the hard-hitting action and grand dark fantasy Conan is best known for but Aaron brings about a new angle that much of the property lacks - Conan the King. Him brooding on his throne is such an icon, that actively seeing that version of him on the page makes for a perfect treat. It is Conan through and through.
The brilliance of Mahmud Asrar shines in the art of this book. The landscape and dark nature of the setting shines through in every hard shadow. Plus that cover by Esad Ribic needs to be available as a full-sized poster with how brilliantly it mimics the Frank Frazetta feel.